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Cameroon's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has declared that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over allegations that he instigated "aggressive post-election demonstrations".

At least four protesters have been lost their lives during skirmishes between police and military and protesters since the electoral process on 12 October, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya securing an eighth presidential mandate.

Tchiroma Bakary insists that he emerged victorious, a claim disputed by the incumbent party, the CPDM.

Violent crackdowns by law enforcement on protesters have worried the world leaders, with the United Nations, African Union and EU calling for caution.

Official's Allegations

Recently, the interior minister accused the opposition figure of planning what he referred to as "unauthorized" rallies causing the fatalities, and also condemned him for announcing success in the election.

He added that Tchiroma Bakary's "co-conspirators responsible for an subversive plot" will also be prosecuted.

Poll Figures

Paul Biya, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, won the 12 October vote with 53.7% of the vote, compared to 35.2% for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the electoral authority.

Opposition Response

The opposition figure is remains silent to the official announcement to try him, but he had before announced that he refused to acknowledge a fraudulent outcome - and that he was not afraid of being detained.

On election result day, he said that gunmen opened fire on protesters assembled near his residence in the city of Garoua, causing the death of at least two individuals.

Probe Launched

Earlier this week, the government official disclosed that an investigation would be initiated into violent incidents prior to and following the announcement of the election results.

"Throughout the violence, some of the individuals involved were killed," he commented, without giving a exact count of protesters who have been killed in the incidents.

Nji added that several members of the police and military also sustained major harm.

Present Conditions

Although Nji maintained the situation throughout Cameroon was now under control, demonstrators remain active in some parts of the country, especially in these two cities, where protesters mounted barricades on that day, and set fire to tyres on the thoroughfares.

Observers alert that the election-related unrest could plunge the country into a leadership vacuum.